Planning Commission to Consider Youth Sports Use of Koret Field

The Belmont Planning Commission on Tuesday night will consider allowing youth sports groups to use Notre Dame de Namur University's Koret Field.

It's the first time the commission will take the appeal into consideration since the university opted to stick with its original Conditional Use Permit in February, instead of adopting an amended permit that would have allowed youth sports groups to use the field, but would have also tightened other conditions for field use.

The 2010 permit approved by the Planning Commission last September was later modified by the Belmont City Council.

The council's version included shortened hours and a decrease in the number of Sundays the field can be used, prompting NDNU to stick with its 2005 permit.

When NDNU announced its intention to keep the 2005 permit, university President Judith Greig said the school would be committed to finding a way for youth sports groups to still use the field.

And, following through on that promise, NDNU was in support when Belmont United Soccer Club and Belmont/Redwood Shores AYSO submitted an application on April 26 appealing for use of Koret Field.

The youth sports groups are not asking for additional days or hours for the field than what is allowed in the 2005 permit.

The city, however, has received numerous emails from residents who live near Koret Field and oppose the proposed amendment to the 2005 permit, saying the noise reaches unbearable levels.

To read the e-mails from residents, and see the full report from city staff, click on the attached PDF.

Tuesday night's Planning Commission meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 1 Twin Pines Lane.